Michelle Jennings set season-best marks in the 500 free and 400 IM, placing fourth in each event.(Mike Robles, Media Relations)

Nov. 5, 2004

IRVINE, Calif. - Yuka Kobayashi posted a 59.02 to place in the 100-yard backstroke and Hannah Watanabe placed second in the 200 fly at 2:07.23, highlighting UC Davis' first day of action at the Big West Shootout collegiate swimming and diving meet Friday. The Aggie women went 2-2 for the day, posting wins against Pepperdine and Air Force. The UC Davis men finished 0-3, competing in a field comprising UC Irvine, Hawaii and Air Force.

Watanabe's finish was the highest by any of the Aggie women in an individual event, although the 200 freestyle relay placed second with a 1:38.58 time. Junior Michelle Jennings posted fourth-place showings in each of the 400 individual medley and the 500 freestyle. She trimmed more than six seconds from her previous season best in the 500, touching in 5:07.10. Her IM mark is also the fastest by any Aggie this season.

Diver Brad Kern had the men's top finish, scoring 217.80 on the 1-meter board and 229.60 on 3-meters, each good for third-place. Russell Taylor placed fourth in both breaststrokes, posting a 59.63 time in the 100 and 2:10.08 in the 200. Both marks are season bests for the Aggie freshman.

Other highlights include junior Renee Dyer, who took fourth in the 100 free at 52.66. Freshman Jennifer Ginsberg finished fifth in the 100 back, eclipsing the one-minute mark for the second time this season. She finished with a time of 59.89. Toki Burke cut his 200 fly time by more than a second, recording a sixth-place 1:58.85.

The meet consisted of two pools: eight teams competed in the men's side, while 11 schools entered the women's competition. Each pairing within the two groups is scored as a separate dual meet. The Hawaii men won every event, capturing Pool A with 124-16 victories over the Aggies and Air Force. The Wahine swept UC Davis, Air Force and Pepperdine in the women's `A' pool.

Washington dominated Pool B in both the men's and women's scoring. The Husky men went 3-0 for the day, including 104-18 scores against Cal St. Northridge and Cal Poly. The UW women recorded at least 100 points in all five of its matchups, easily defeating UC Santa Barbara, Cal St. Northridge, Cal Poly, San Diego and Idaho.

All teams will regroup on Saturday based on their respected Friday finishes.